Staten Island Advance/Anthony DePrimoAlthough Joseph Lhota, new MTA Chairman, says the economy has to turn around before he can begin enhancing bus service on Staten Island, he did unveil a new system, being introduced here first, that will let Islanders track the location of buses on their computers and hand-held devices.

Lhota told the Advance Editorial Board yesterday he understands that Island commuters have been underserved by mass transit.

"I do know how important transportation is to Staten Island," he said. "I've known it for 20 years. I am aware of the problems."

Lhota has an insight into the borough's "psyche" that few others in his position have had, thanks to the years he served as deputy mayor for operations, finance commissioner and budget director for former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who has an enduring bond with the Island.

"I do have a feel for the needs of Staten Island," said Lhota, confirmed this week for the $332,500-a-year MTA post.

But Lhota said service can't be restored or expanded here, or anywhere, until the economy rebounds.

But Lhota said the fiscally strapped authority can't expand its service onto the College of Staten Island campus unless city or state lawmakers provide the funds.

The S93 bus currently terminates outside the CSI gates on Victory Boulevard. Advocates want the line rerouted to the center of the campus.

Lhota, a CUNY trustee and chair of the CUNY Finance Committee, said he has started discussions over whether the Island's City Council or state Legislature representatives could provide the funding through the member-item process.

"If we can get the funding," Lhota said, "we'll do it."

MTA president Thomas Prendergast, appearing with Lhota, said making the change would cost between $250,000 and $1 million, but added that "the justification is there" for expanding the service.

In recently passing its $12.6 billion budget, the MTA board voted down a request from Island board member Allen Cappelli for $20 million to restore some of 2010's bus cuts and for CSI bus service.

But Lhota said approving the $20 million would necessitate cutting the budget elsewhere to make up for it. The MTA has to make another $50 million in cuts this year beyond those previously mandated, Lhota said.

And Lhota said the MTA will be further hamstrung by the reduction in the amount of MTA payroll taxes paid by businesses and schools.

"When we start to see a turnaround, we're going to start to be able to do things," Lhota said.

Touching on another key Island concern, Lhota said he worries about the impact that steeper tolls have on commuters and businesses. He acknowledged that "there is a point of no return with taxes and tolls" after which they are counter-productive.

But he said he hasn't thought about what that ceiling would be for the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, whose undiscounted toll is $13.

"There's gotta be some level of cap on it," Lhota said.

Looking ahead, he said the MTA is "evaluating the viability" of a North Shore rail line that would link up with light-rail service across the Bayonne Bridge. But he said he deems a bus rapid transit system more economical for the North Shore than rail.

Lhota said the authority is also looking at the possibility of replacing MetroCards with "tap and go" payment technology. Prendergast said that after 15 years in service, MetroCards have come to the "end of their useful life. We have to upgrade or replace MetroCard."

Lhota said the MTA is also looking at creating more gateless toll crossings for E-ZPass, and at possibly allowing New Yorkers to use E-ZPass to also make purchases at places like McDonald's and Starbucks.

The MTA would also like to increase ridership on the Staten Island Railway.